Marriott International and Gruppo Lefay establish global partnership for luxury wellness expansion

Marriott International and Gruppo Lefay have signed binding agreements to form a strategic partnership aimed at expanding the Lefay brand within the luxury wellness hospitality segment. The transaction establishes an equal joint venture designed to manage and develop the brand through long-term management contracts. Under the terms of the deal, the Leali family will retain ownership of the underlying real estate assets, while Lefay’s operating model will be integrated into Marriott’s global distribution network.

Lefay represents the first brand in Marriott’s portfolio exclusively dedicated to luxury wellness. The brand’s current portfolio includes award-winning resorts in Lake Garda and the Dolomites, with further properties under development in Tuscany, Southern Italy, and the Swiss Alps. The closing of the operation remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and conditions precedent.

Marriott International was advised on Italian law by Gianni & Origoni (GOP). The multidisciplinary team was led by partner Massimiliano Macaione, supported by counsel Aldo Turella for corporate matters, associate Chiara De Angelis for commercial contracts, and associate Angela Tosto for real estate due diligence. Antitrust and golden power profiles were managed by partner Francesco Maria Salerno and associate Marco Grantaliano.

Gruppo Lefay and its primary shareholders were assisted by Gitti and Partners. The firm coordinated the corporate M&A profiles with a team led by managing partner Gregorio Gitti and partner Daniele L. Cusumano, supported by associates Claudia Cioffi and Giangiacomo Magnifico. Specialist assistance included partner Marco Blei for IP, partner Flavio Monfrini for data protection, partner Riccardo Sciaudone for antitrust and golden power, and partner Gianluigi Strambi for tax profiles.

Belluzzo International Partners provided tax and corporate consultancy regarding the joint venture structuring, with a team comprising Enrico Rimini, Ivan Mastrototaro, Alberto Franceschetti, and Francesco Citerni. Chiomenti assisted Gruppo Lefay in negotiations and commercial agreements with Marriott, with a team led by partner Umberto Borzi, managing associate Luca Cerciello, and associate Emanuele Cossa. For Swiss law matters, the group was advised by Bär & Karrer, including partners Andrea Ziswiler and Rocco Rigozzi, and associate Martina Giacometti.

Mediobanca acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Gruppo Lefay.